Kusal Mendis produced a composed, unbeaten knock of 74 as Sri Lanka booked their place in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The result ended Afghanistan’s campaign and confirmed Bangladesh’s progression alongside Sri Lanka from Group B. Set 170 to win, Sri Lanka’s chase was tested early when Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara departed cheaply. The pressure was taken up by Mendis, who steadied the innings with caution and controlled aggression. His 52-ball effort featured well-timed hits on both sides of the wicket and provided the backbone around which Sri Lanka’s winning chase was built. Kusal Perera chipped in with a quick 28, while Charith Asalanka added crucial runs in the middle overs. Kamindu Mendis closed the contest with an unbeaten 26, ensuring Sri Lanka crossed the line with eight balls to spare. The winning moment came in the 19th over when Mendis pulled Mujeeb Ur Rahman for four to seal the result at 171/4. Earlier, Afghanistan posted 169/8, thanks largely to a blistering 22-ball 60 from Mohammad Nabi. Walking in during a period of struggle, Nabi counter-attacked brilliantly that swung the momentum briefly in his team’s favour. Rashid Khan’s late cameo of 24 also proved useful, but Afghanistan’s innings never fully recovered from the string of wickets that kept falling around them. For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Thushara led the bowling with figures of 4/18, dismantling Afghanistan’s top order with accuracy and variations. His early strikes prevented Afghanistan from capitalising on Nabi’s onslaught, leaving the total just short of being imposing. Afghanistan fought back with the ball, dismissing Sri Lanka’s openers cheaply and maintaining pressure through the middle overs. However, wayward fielding undid their efforts. With this defeat, they exit the tournament with just one win, while Sri Lanka’s greater experience and composure proved decisive in this pressure contest.
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Sri Lanka will now carry momentum into the Super Four stage, where they are set to meet tougher opposition, including a rematch with Bangladesh.
